Man who killed grandmother in Norwich arson attack detained at secure hospital
89 year old Vera Croghan died at her home in Norwich in December 2020
Last updated 14th Oct 2022
A Norwich man who killed his grandmother by setting fire to her house has been told he must remain in a secure hospital indefinitely.
21 year old Channatorn Croghan, of Northside, had already admitted to manslaughter by diminished responsibility and arson at Norwich Crown Court.
He started a fire in his grandmother's home in Unthank Road on December 11, 2020.
At around 6.30am, a member of the public saw smoke coming from the home and called the fire service.
Firefighters discovered a fire which had been smouldering for some time, then found Vera Croghan in an upstairs bedroom.
She was later found to have died from smoke inhalation.
Croghan returned to the house later the same day and was detained under the Mental Health Act.
He's now been told by a judge that he will remain at a secure hospital until further notice.
The Justice Secretary will have the final say over whether he will ever be released.
In a tribute released through police at the time of her death, Vera Croghan's family described her as a "much-loved mum of four and grandmother of 10".
"She was a well-known and highly respected academic, having been a lecturer in Swedish and Scandinavian Studies at the UEA from its establishment in 1963 until her retirement over 30 years later," her family said.
"She was the author of the best-selling 'Teach Yourself Swedish' book.
"She dearly loved Norwich and the local area, and she loved the house that she had lived in continuously for 57 years."